10 Questions answered by Mon Petit

1. How does your program prepare students for Cy-Fair ISD entrance requirements?

At Mon Petit Learning Center, we offer a curriculum that nurtures the whole child and supports social, emotional physical and intellectual growth. Our weekly lesson plans are aligned with the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines. The Guidelines describe specific outcomes for PreKindergarten children in each domain skill area. The skill domains are:

I. Social and Emotional Development

II. Language and Communication

III. Emergent and Literacy:Reading

IV. Emergent and Literacy:Writing

V. Mathematics

VI. Science

VII. Social Studies

VIII. Fine Arts

IX. Physical Development

X. Technology

2. How does your curriculum incorporate Balanced Learning?

Our program provides a balanced curriculum in which actively engages children in thinking, reasoning and communicating with others. Children engage in meaningful and relevant learning experiences and acquire important skills and concepts.

3. How do you promote social skills development and why (or do you) feel this this important?

Preschool children feel safer and function more successfully in the classroom when rules and routines are constantly followed. At Mon Petit we implement the Kimochis Curriculum. It is designed to give students the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to recognize and manage their emotions, demonstrate caring and concern for others, establish positive relationships, make responsible decisions, and handle challenging situations constructively.

4. How do you foster a love of learning in your students?

By creating a safe secure and supportive environment , with high positive expectations for all children.We not only nurture our teachers and students but the parents too. At Mon Petit we are passionate about our role as educators and encourage innovative activities to continue to captivate the interest of children

5. Describe ways that your school partners with parents in the education process:

At Mon Petit we understand that families are children's first and most important advocates, families are welcomed in the program and participate in decisions about their children's care and education. Our staff works collaboratively establishing and maintaing regular communication with children's families. Parents are welcomed to visit their child at any time. We offer several activities through the year that give the parents opportunity to participate with the child in the classroom. The mutual relationship between teacher and families is important for the child’s intellectual growth. We offer a daily communication report , weekly newsletters at the end of the week and offer parents planed conferences.

6. What types of accreditation does your school have?

Mon Petit Learning Center’s Director, Dulce Martinez holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, and is a Texas Educator Certified in Early Childhood-4th Grade. In 2008-2009 she was honored as teacher of the year and SHABE Bilingual teacher of the year in Aldine ISD.

7. Do you offer individualized learning opportunities? How so?

At Mon Petit we encourage individualized learning through scaffolding. We understand children are unique and learn at a different pace than others. Supporting children in learning to adapt and function successfully in a classroom setting is a key component of early childhood education. At Mon Petit we offer opportunities for both individual and group activities to allow independent exploration and play as well as socialization. We provide activities at a level that children can readily understand and engage with.

8. How can parents see if children are happy and well-adjusted when visiting a preschool?

At Mon Petit Learning Center, we strongly believe in observing and evaluating children’s needs and happiness in their environment. We focus on each child’s different ways of adapting. Our job is to reinforce foundational skills and make meaningful connections for each age group. We ensure instruction is learner centered by consistently using a variety of instructional activities.

9. Why is a child-friendly environment important and how can parents evaluate this?

Mon Petit strives for an atmosphere that is inviting and friendly to allow them to explore and play. Children are given opportunities to practice new skills in a variety of ways.At Mon Petit, our classroom management style is consistent and we focus on positive behavioral support. Transitional activities, student centered schedules in classroom rules play a key role to our success in managing student discipline and maximizing instructional time.

10. Excellent child management skills are a huge plus in a preschool. What are some of your techniques?

At Mon Petit we believe classroom management is important for the purpose of setting routines. Children feel more secure when there is structure, so a well planned day with a built in support is critical to the children’s behavior, well being, and receptiveness to learning. At Mon Petit we use management charts that incorporate pictures or icons, which help make a visual impression to children such as, a rules chart, daily schedule chart, learning area chart and helpers chart.